Ilika Technologies has reached its 20th anniversary. Originally focused on high-throughput materials discovery, the company was founded by CEO Graeme Purdy to commercialise technology from the University of Southampton’s Department of Chemistry. The early years, led by chairman Jack Boyer, involved rapid materials testing and development in various sectors, including work on solid state battery materials with Toyota. Despite initial success in contract R&D, the company shifted towards developing its own intellectual property.
With Mike Inglis as chairman from 2015, Ilika refined its business model to design and license solid state battery (SSB) technology. This led to the creation of the Stereax battery line, catering to the miniaturisation needs of electronics and medical devices. Significant developments included building a new R&D production tool, establishing a pilot line, and opening Discovery House for small-scale production. A major milestone was a 10-year license agreement with Cirtec Medical in 2023 to commercialise Stereax for MedTech markets.
Parallel to Stereax, Ilika launched the Goliath program in 2018 to develop SSBs for electric vehicles. The program involved collaborations with automotive companies and a move to larger facilities. The team expanded, incorporating industrial expertise to complement its academic strengths. The Goliath program follows a similar model to Stereax, aiming to license the technology after proving its viability for automotive applications.
Ilika’s strategic pivots and long-term planning have positioned it for continued growth and innovation. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the company acknowledges the hard work of its employees and looks forward to 20 more years of research, development, and commercialisation.
Ilika plc (LON:IKA) is a pioneer in solid state battery technology enabling solutions for applications in Industrial IoT, MedTech, Electric Vehicles and Consumer Electronics.
